Support Worker - Hokitika

Access; West Coast; On-site; NZD 36,000 - 47,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Shared accommodation

Job summary

Hokitika Hartland Dairies Limited is seeking a Dairy Farm Assistant for our 300-hectare Hokitika farm. The role involves milking cows twice daily, preparing the dairy shed, washdowns, and basic herd management on a busy, self-contained operation.

No prior experience is required, but a genuine interest in dairy farming and animal care is helpful. You will work with Halter collar technology and automatic cup removers as part of a long-serving team.

Qualifications

• No relevant experience or qualification required.
• Willingness to learn and develop skills.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a small team and independently when required.
• Good communication skills and a positive, can-do attitude.

Responsibilities

• Carry out milking duties efficiently and safely, following established farm procedures.
• Maintain a clean, hygienic and well-organised dairy shed.
• Handle livestock calmly, safely and with care, ensuring high standards of animal welfare.
• Identify and report animal health concerns promptly.
• Complete allocated tasks reliably and to the required standard.
• Work cooperatively with the farm team and communicate effectively with management.

Job description

Job Description

Hokitika Hartland Dairies Limited

Posted 3 days ago

Job Viewed

WHO WE ARE

Our farm currently milks approximately 400 cows twice daily through a 36-bail rotary

cowshed fitted with automatic cup removers (ACRs) and in-shed meal feeding. We utilise

Halter collar technology to manage our herd and graze all young stock on the property.

During winter, cows are wintered on swedes, making this a largely self-contained farming

operation.

WHAT YOU’LL BE DOING

Hartland Dairies Ltd is seeking a motivated and reliable Dairy Farm Assistant to join our

team on our 300-hectare dairy farm at 176 Ford Road South, RD 1, Hokitika.

This is a full-time position working alongside the farm owners and an experienced, long-

serving team member.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Milking cows twice daily and assisting with all aspects of the milking process.
• Preparing and setting up the dairy shed before milking and completing washdown
• and cleaning procedures afterwards.
• Maintaining high standards of shed hygiene, cleanliness and biosecurity.
• Monitoring cow health and behaviour, identifying sick or injured animals and
• reporting concerns promptly.
• Assisting with animal health treatments and routine herd management as directed.
• Assisting with calving, including monitoring cows, collecting cows and calves, and
• helping with calf rearing.
• Using Halter technology and following established procedures for herd movement
• and management.
• Undertaking weed management, fencing repairs and general pasture
• maintenance.
• Assisting with riparian planting and other environmental management activities.
• Carrying out general farm duties and maintenance as required.
• Following farm health and safety procedures and maintaining a safe working

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES and PERFORMANCE GOALS:

• Carry out milking duties efficiently and safely, following established farm
• procedures.
• Maintain a clean, hygienic and well-organised dairy shed.
• Handle livestock calmly, safely and with care, ensuring high standards of animal
• welfare.
• Identify and report animal health concerns promptly.
• Complete allocated tasks reliably and to the required standard.
• Work cooperatively with the farm team and communicate effectively with
• management.
• Take responsibility for equipment, farm facilities and maintaining a tidy working
• Follow health and safety, environmental and farm biosecurity requirements.
• Contribute positively to the smooth and efficient operation of the farm throughout
• the season.
• Performance will be assessed through the consistent completion of daily duties,
• adherence to farm procedures, quality of work, animal welfare practices, shed hygiene
• and teamwork.

WHAT YOU BRING TO THE TABLE

• No relevant experience or qualification required, but willing to learn
• A genuine interest in dairy farming and animal care.
• Willingness to learn and develop skills will be considered.
• The ability to work effectively as part of a small team and independently when
• required.
• Good communication skills and a positive, can-do attitude.
• Strong attention to detail, particularly regarding animal health and shed hygiene.
• Good time management and the ability to follow instructions and established farm
• procedures.
• A willingness to undertake a variety of farm duties in changing weather conditions.
• A commitment to health and safety, animal welfare and environmental
• management.
• Physical fitness suitable for the demands of dairy farm work.
• A responsible approach to farm equipment, livestock and property.

WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU?

• A competitive rate of $26 - $34 per hour, depending on skills and experience.
• Shared accommodation provided as part of the employment package.
• The opportunity to work on a well-established, 300-hectare dairy farm.
• Experience with modern dairy farming practices, including Halter collar technology
• and automatic cup removers.
• The opportunity to develop practical skills across milking, animal health, calving
• and general farm management.
• A supportive working environment alongside experienced farm owners and an
• established team member.
• The opportunity to contribute to a self-contained farming operation with a variety
• of seasonal duties.

REPORTING STRUCTURE:

The Dairy Farm Assistant will report to Melvin Silubrico and work under the direction of

farm owners Jeremy and Anna Hart.

The successful applicant will be expected to follow reasonable instructions, communicate

any operational or animal health concerns and work collaboratively to achieve the farm's